Drawing a Career: Easel to Entrepreneur

In this, his first interview, award winning graphic designer Tony Hepburn opens up about the influences that shaped his career, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way.?

Few teachers get the opportunity to connect with ex-students and learn about their lives after they graduate. However I had the unique pleasure of catching up with the terrifically talented Tony Hepburn, to discuss how his ‘life’s palate’ helped paint a path to success.?

Not long after Tony joined my class, I noted he was a developing young artist. I asked him if he could use his skills to decorate a wall in our classroom. The result was amazing and attracted more interest in the subject of Japanese.?

From his early days of doodling, to becoming an award winning graphic designer, Tony’s story turned out to be one of growth and determination, but not without a few speed bumps along the way. His life tapestry was one woven with threads of creativity and resilience.?

‘‘He has a gritty, teeth-grinding tenacity for the pursuit of artistic expression.’’

Early Inspirations

“I’ve always been creative,” Tony starts off, reminiscing about a childhood filled with drawing and self-expression. Tony’s early childhood fostered his creative mind. Growing up in a family that encouraged artistic pursuits, he was surrounded by materials that allowed him to experiment and explore his talent. Sadly however, his father’s presence faded from that childhood of crayons and coloured pencils.

?“My mother always supported my artistic inclinations.”

His journey into the digital realm began in his teenage years, teaching himself a rapidly growing raft of applications that would later become the tools of his trade. A pivotal moment came in grade 9 when he realised he wanted to pursue a career in a creative field.

“Architecture used too much maths for my creative brain,” he laughs, orientating himself more toward graphic design.

Personal Reflections and Professional Growth

Growing up mostly with a hardworking mother who had to make ends meet, Tony made a conscious decision to be present for his own kids. “This has been the catalyst for the amount of time and effort I have devoted to them,” he shares unashamedly.

His industrious nature, inherited from his mother, has been a driving force in his professional and personal life. Balancing his professional ambitions with his personal life, especially starting a family at a young age, has been challenging but rewarding.

“My family has been a big part of my life intentionally,” he explains. “As the kids gain their independence, I am able to branch out and explore my career more intently. This wasn’t my plan, but there’s nothing I would change; it’s all made me the person I am today.”

First Foray into the World of Work

“I started out at McDonald’s in Airlie Beach,” he recalls with a wry smile. It was a far cry from his artistic ambitions, but this job instilled in him a strong work ethic and the importance of patience and perseverance.

His big break came when he joined a local home design studio, initially as a sign-writer, later as a graphic designer. “This was a huge step in my career,” he says. The studio evolved from a small home-based business to a commercial agency, producing work for councils, government, and private business sectors in Australia and the UK.?

“Winning a media award in Cairns was the highlight of my five years there,” Tony says proudly. This period fueled his professional growth, offering opportunities to work on diverse projects and refine his skills. He was up and running.?

However, when the agency suddenly closed in 2013, it was a crushing blow. “It was a challenging time,” Tony recollects. “But it sparked the creation for my own business under my ABN, and Funk & Tall was born.”?

This transition afforded him a temporary backseat to his career with a focus on raising his family, and later, moving closer to the city. “There was more to do for the children in Brisbane, although it was hard to leave [the Whitsundays] such a stunning place,” he says.

Juggling Ambitions and Family

Tony’s ambitions were rapidly growing, but life had ‘other’ plans. Meeting his wife and starting a family suddenly redefined his priorities. “I had some pretty hefty ambitions that I was ready to tackle before I met my wife [but] we settled down with two children, [both] now in high school,” he explains.?

“I chose to spend a lot of my time raising my children in the early stages, so that I could focus on them while I worked on my own business. Cherishing those early years of their development was important to me.” I realised I had done the polar opposite, started a family later in life and got my career going earlier.?

As a teacher, I was intrigued to hear Tony and his wife decided to homeschool their children for the first year. Such decisions require real commitment. “We wanted to give them a strong foundation before transitioning them to the local public primary school,” he says.

Possibilities left Unexplored

With his 40th birthday approaching, Tony reflects. “There were definitely missed opportunities but my kids have really shaped who I am today.” he confides. The balance between career and family life has given him a unique perspective, one that acknowledges a maturity brought about by personal experience.

‘‘The experiences I gained from being a father have been invaluable.’’

Overcoming Challenges

Tony’s career wasn’t without significant setbacks. A steep learning curve came with his first troublesome client as a freelance designer. “Navigating the debate of time versus money was tough,” he states.?

“The concept of going beyond the brief, incurring extra charges, since the work was not discussed prior to commencing the project, was a hard lesson. We call it ‘scope creep’ in the industry and it can be quite common”. This experience taught him the importance of detailed briefings and clear communication.

Finding the right voice was also a challenge that Tony faced early on in the marketing of the business. “Finding the right audience and speaking the right language was pivotal for reaching the right clients.”

Enter the Setback Spectre?

Tony’s journey was not without significant blind spots. Not knowing what funding was available for new and small businesses was a challenge. Learning the hard way about business funding was a tough lesson. Was he deterred? Evidently, no.?

“If I had the foresight to invest in a financial advisor, I would have!”

He has since made significant changes in how his business funding works and the systems he employs for sustainability. “I have made sure that I am giving back to small businesses myself,” Tony says. That’s completely consistent with the young, forward thinking Tony I remember from school. Nice.

Achievements and Future Aspirations

One of Tony’s proudest moments was winning the best poster design at the Cairns Multimedia Design Awards in 2011. “It was magical,” he recalls. This achievement lit his passion and commitment to improving his design skills.?

Looking forward, Tony is preparing to level up again. “I will be looking to submit work for prestigious awards like D&AD, AGDA, and DIA,” he shares. “The intent to keep creative is motivating me to step it up in line with what it was before I ‘relaxed’ with the kids.”

‘‘It’s GO time, and I’m excited!”

Tony has started dreaming big - his own design studio is on the horizon. “I’m arming myself with the knowledge and tools I need to launch something great,” he says. “I have my plans and a strategy in place, I’m ready to rock the design world for a hot minute.”

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Iconic Influencers

Throughout the journey, Tony has drawn inspiration from numerous mentors and role models. Richard Branson, the works from Landor and TWA agencies worldwide, and the creative portfolios across platforms like BeHance, FromUpNorth, and Dribble have all influenced his work or ambitions in one way or another.?

“I try to hold as much regard for my own work and stay true to my creative process, looking for the uniqueness in every project I manage.”

Creativity and beyond

I am convinced that Tony’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of balancing personal and professional aspirations. Sadly, I believe creativity in all its forms is currently under-represented, especially in secondary schooling.?

‘’We value some subjects over others, yet are prepared to pay massive sums for unique art.’’

“I have a whole lifetime of being creative ahead of me,” he concludes and I don’t doubt it for a second.? “I’ll never stop learning and expressing my creative talents.”?

Is there excessive importance bestowed on some areas of knowledge, at the cost of others? That sounds like a great ToK question!?

Tony’s journey reminds us that creativity is a valuable and necessary part of what makes up life’s vibrant tapestry. From crayon to canvas, and now creative director - imagination and drive really make dreams a reality.?

For more on Tony, check out his website here Funk & Tall (funkandtall.com)